Brazil 2014 World Cup: The Party Begins As Neymar Rules

The 2014 FIFA World Cup finally rolled off last night in Sao Paulo, Brazil with the formal opening ceremony and the first fixture of the 32-nation contest with the hosts tackling Croatia.
A colourful ceremony that showcased parts of Brazilian Culture laced with gymnastic calisthenics made way for the much anticipated opening clash.
The game saw the Selecao of Brazil achieve a comprehensive 3-1 victory over a battling Croatian side and effectively established early command in Group A, with Cameroon and Mexico yet to play.
However, the party, especially, for the hosts, did not kick off according to plan as they had to come from behind to give home fans and indeed most pundits the celebration they expected.
Against popular expectations, it was Croatia, playing on counter attack that scored the first goal of the 2014 Mundial to silence the yellow-cladding and partisan fans that thronged the stadium.
The match was barely 11 minutes old when a sweeping counter attack by the C  roats fed in.
Rakitic who sucked in badly positioned Paulinho and released Ivica Olic down the left channel.
Olic’s searching low cross was swept into the net by one of Brazil’s retreating defenders, Marcelo, to the consternation of the home crowd.
It was an own goal, the first ever by Brazil in a World Cup final.
However, Brazil, the five-time world champions, who are yet to taste defeat at home in competitive games for 29 years, worked hard to preserve the record and reputation.
As it has been the case in recent time, it was the boots of Brazil’s golden boy, Neymar, that dug the country out of hole and brought smiles back to the fans’ faces.
Neymar’s long range effort shortly after being booked in the 29th minute after a tenacious work by Oscar beat Croatia’s keeper off the upright to restore parity.
If Croatia tried to frustrate and neutralize Braxil’s attacking forays in the first half, the Second half proved a lot more difficult as the Samba boys increased the tempo and found more spaces.
The Croats, led by Luka Modric, Rakitic and Olic tried to give as much as they received.
They even came close to ruffling feathers with close chances. But when Neymar converted a 71st minute penalty after the referee had harshly adjuged Lorren to have fouled fred in the area, their resistance wittled down.
Oscar, who worked hard all game ended the tie as a contest in added time as he poked home to effectively deflate the Croats.
Cameroon and Mexico will take to the pitch today in the other Group A match, while defending Champions, Spain goes up against the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final, and Chile battle against Australia in Group B.
Two goals from Neymar and a late Oscar strike inspired Brazil to a 3-1 comeback victory over Croatia in the opening game of the 2014 World Cup.

Brazil 2014 World Cup